Current legislation bans dogs accompanying their owners visiting cafes and restaurants, even if it’s OK with the proprietor.
On October 10th, MPs are to debate a proposal from pro-nature and animals party PAN, the Left Bloc and The Greens to allow pets to enter catering establishments as well as guide dogs, which already are allowed in.
A petition sent to parliament by PAN’s only MP, André Silva, collected more than 5,569 signatures and there now is support for the initiative from the other two parties.
The objective is to change the legislation of 2015 (Decree-Law 10) so that pet owners do not have to leave dogs tied up outside, loose on the street or sitting in the car.
The petitioners claim that similar measures already are in force in most European Union countries.
"It is up to the owners of commercial establishments to decide," writes PAN.
The Left Bloc wants establishments to set aside an area where pets can be with their owners.
The establishment would have “a specific area where pets are allowed and another one where they are not," petitions the Left Bloc, but only if the restaurateur or cafe owner wants to adopt the law.
The Greens say there should be safeguards covering the size and behaviour of animals in restaurants so they do not cause inconvenience to other customers.
Comments
Me neither, unless its a street restaurant and the dog can lie quietly under my chair - I would not wish to take my dog into a restaurant.
Similarly, dogs are not allowed on the Armona and Culatra ferries unless in a security cage - so I don't visit the Ria Formosa islands.
Dogs are fundamentally unhygenic and I would not want to visit a restaurant that allowed dogs inside, even though I am a dog owner.
All I can say is that when we have a day out, we take our dog with us.
Restaurants don't allow dogs, so we don't go to restaurants.
There are far too many rules and laws dictated by Lisbon. When possible, let people decide for themselves how to run their businesses.
I congratulate Ed on a wonderful picture. Clearly this dog has no taste for the traditional Portuguese menu of meat, chips and salad.
Are you saying that it is only in Portugal that there is animal cruelty... get a grip.
I know that there is cruelty of animals in England, I have seen it myself and I have reported it to the authorities.
There are definitely no other and more important issues to discuss by these weard gentlemen in Lisboa.